Story ideas and leads… how do we get them, we’re often asked?

The obvious answer is “from everywhere,” but what we at Line Drive Softball really love about softball—at all levels—is how far coaches will go to impressive lengths to support and promote their players.

The following is a letter we received recently from Alyssa Hamilton, the Head Coach of the Crystal River (Fla.) High Pirates, sharing her thoughts on her fast-rising underclass catcher Athena Childs.

“Athena is a major contributor to our high school team!” the coach says. “I would love to see her get some recognition… pitchers (rightfully) get a lot of the spotlight, but my pitcher couldn’t do her job without her catcher!”

Stellar on defense, the Sunshine State athlete is also putting up the best numbers of her career: through her first 25 games this season, Athena is batting .396 and with an on-base percentage of .551 with 25 walks…  

Here, in Coach Hamilton’s own words, are her praises for Athena and including how and why she goes to bat (pun attended) for her talented backstop…

*** For more on Coach Hamilton, click HERE.

— Brentt Eads, Executive Editor, Line Drive Softball

*****

Athena wasn’t always a catcher—she was my shortstop in her freshman year up until our catcher was hurt and Athena stepped in. She is the epitome of a utility player, though I believe she really shines behind the plate. Still, I could really put Athena anywhere on the field and she would be successful.

I have to say, though, that she proved to be an elite catcher very early on. Her pop time was recorded at 1.8 seconds and, boy, does she throw a lot of players out!

Her nickname is “Train,” since she is always putting the ball in play or taking a walk to get on the base and moving runners.

Here is a clip showing some of her big hits:

Athena is my leadoff batter, not only for her big bat, but because her softball IQ is top tier.  She is incredibly valuable on the field, but she is also my cheerleader in the dugout and is always pumping up her teammates, even if we are down in the score.

Athena was formerly on the Central Florida Gold travel team that went 31-9 last summer with a very competitive schedule. She took the Fall 2024 season off to focus on her dual enrollment and to play high school volleyball but now is looking for a competitive travel ball team as her dream and goal is to play college softball.

The Crystal River Pirates are currently 20-6 and ranked 33^1s in Florida. For the first time in over five years, the team won its districts last year and I can see them again go far this year!

In a game earlier this month, we played our local rival, Citrus High, which every year since Athena started, we have been 1-1 in each season. This year, we beat them twice, and Athena has two triples against them in our second game!

Maybe I am biased, but I have been so fortunate to have a player like Athena. She is committed to her teammates, her school and she is such an incredibly positive influence on our younger players.  

— Head Coach Alyssa Hamilton, Crystal River (Fla.) High Pirates